The Fiqh Council of North America Denounces Irresponsible Statements on Fort Hood Attacks

We, the Fiqh Council of North America, have become aware that statements by some individuals and groups around the world have been issued on the internet and elsewhere praising the brutal killings and attacks last week at Fort Hood in Texas and condemning the American Muslim community and major American Muslim organizations of "betrayal of Islam and of hypocrisy" for denouncing the massacre committed by the suspect Major Nidal Malik Hassan. These statements are shocking to us and are totally unacceptable.

We at the Fiqh Council of North America emphasize adherence to Islamic values and principles of peace, justice and fair dealing with all people in every situation. We are deeply saddened with the death and injury of many people in the Fort Hood attack. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the health and well being of the injured. We denounce such acts of violence and consider them against the teachings of Islam.

The Fiqh Council of North America as a body of Muslim jurists supports the denunciation of this violence as stated by major American Muslim organizations and considers it in keeping with the spirit and values of Islam. Islam teaches that all Muslim wherever they live must respect the life and property of all people, whether Muslims or non-Muslims. Muslims must also abide by their pledges. Those who serve in the army should abide by the rules that they have pledged to follow within the general principles of justice and fair dealing as ordered and mandated by God. God Almighty says in the Qur'an:

"O you who believe! Fulfill your contracts..." (Qur'an, 5:1)

"... if anyone kills a person -unless in retribution for murder or spreading corruption in the land- it is as if he kills all mankind, and if anyone saves a life it is as if he saved the lives of all mankind..." (Qur'an, 5:32)

"O you who believe! Uphold justice, being witnesses to Allah, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives; whether the person is rich or poor; Allah can best take care of both. Refrain from following your own desire, so that you can act justly - if you distort or neglect justice, Allah is fully aware of what you do. (Qur'an, 4:134)